6/30 OR 7/15 OR 7/23 OR 8/4 | 11:00 AM-12:00 PM on 6/30 & 7/15, 12:30 PM-1:30 PM on 8/4| VIRTUAL

This hands-on workshop empowers secondary teachers to integrate Google Gemini into their classrooms regardless of their tech proficiency. Educators will delve into AI-driven lesson planning, differentiation, and student engagement while also addressing ethical use, privacy, and bias. With practical applications, teachers will be prepared to implement AI-generated resources and enhance instruction with Gemini.                

Facilitator:  Lauren Will

6/30 OR 7/28 OR 8/12 | 11:00 AM-12:00 PM | VIRTUAL

This session is a capstone to our AI Pathway for teachers at PHS looking to implement Gemini for student use. We will review best practices on rolling out AI literacy discussions in your class that have been informed by feedback from Parkland students, Google, and ISTE. We will provide lessons and resources for you to turnkey, and discuss strategies for instruction that deepens student learning without making AI a shallow shortcut. 

Facilitator:  JR Renna

8/12 | 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | VIRTUAL

Google Workspace gets new features on an almost daily basis. This academy will summarize some of the most noteworthy additions for educators, and how you can combine them to make collaborative & time-saving workflows. We'll also help you use the features you do know in a way that meets our best practice recommendations. 

Facilitator:  JR Renna

6/17 OR 7/17 OR 8/10 | 9:30 AM-10:30 AM | VIRTUAL

Join us for a discussion on the ethical implications of AI and the need for proper citation when using AI.  We will also show you the APA and MLA styles for proper citation as well as using NoodleTools to cite AI.

Facilitator:  Kelly Flynn 

7/21 | 9:00 AM-10:00 AM | VIRTUAL

Join us for a hands-on workshop designed to help educators leverage Schoology's full potential to streamline classroom workflows and enhance student access to learning materials. This session will focus on practical strategies to structure Schoology efficiently for both daily and long-term planning. Participants will learn how to (1) automate content publishing: set up folders and materials to publish automatically on future dates, perfect for planning ahead or managing absent days seamlessly; (2) embed key resources directly in Schoology: integrate curriculum software including IXL, Carnegie, Big Ideas, etc. along with the school's bell schedule, to ensure essential tools are just a click away; (3) embed Google Calendar into your Schoology course for seamless syncing; (4) create student-friendly shortcuts: reduce the need for students to navigate multiple folders by setting up direct links and shortcuts, simplifying their learning journey. 

Facilitator:  Angela Turczyn

8/4 | 9:00 AM-10:00 AM | VIRTUAL

Think Edpuzzle is just for YouTube clips? Think again! Edpuzzle has expanded into a powerful, all-in-one formative assessment platform where your favorite Google Slides, Google Docs, PDFs, and standalone quizzes can come to life.

Whether you're new to the tool or a long-time user, this session will show you how to layer interactive questions directly over your existing class materials. We will explore how to import files seamlessly from Google Drive, embed multiple-choice or open-ended check-ins right onto a slide or document page, and gamify the classroom using the brand-new Interactive Quizzes feature with live leaderboards.

Facilitator:  Stephanie Bass, Edpuzzle

8/13 | 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | VIRTUAL

This special session offered by the experts at BreakoutEDU will train you on how to use the physical kits we have available in every building as well as the hundreds of digital games in their platform to inspire problem solving and creativity in your classroom. 

Facilitator:  Patti Duncan, BreakoutEDU

7/30 | 1:00 PM-2:00 PM | VIRTUAL

This comprehensive training equips K-12 teachers with the skills to master Google Vids, a dynamic AI-powered video creation tool integrated directly into Google Workspace. Educators will learn to streamline their own workflows by effortlessly generating instructional videos, flip-classroom lessons, and engaging school announcements. Furthermore, the session highlights how students can utilize the platform to build digital literacy, collaborating in real time to produce multimedia presentations, book reports, and creative storytelling projects. Ultimately, this training positions Google Vids as a powerful, seamless alternative to WeVideo for the modern classroom.

Facilitators:  Lauren Will & JR Renna

7/2 | 12:30 PM-2:00 PM | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER ROOM 313A

Like our Digital Make & Take academies, this session does not feature any direct instruction. Instead, come with your questions on how to best use you new PHS teacher chromebook. We'll also be able to highlight new tools you haven't heard of yet, and set you up to transition smoothly.

Facilitators:  JR Renna & Lauren Will

7/14 | 10:00 AM-11:00 AM | VIRTUAL

Join us for an engaging and practical professional development session focused on using AI tools to work smarter, not harder in the classroom. In this hands-on workshop, teachers will explore how tools such as Gemini and Google Notebook LM can save time, increase efficiency, and support instruction in meaningful ways. 

Participants will learn practical strategies for using AI to create sub plans, lesson materials, rubrics, study guides, discussion questions, parent communication, differentiated activities, and more. The session will also introduce Google Notebook LM and demonstrate how it can help teachers organize curriculum resources, summarize documents, and generate materials directly from uploaded content.

This session is designed for educators of all experience levels with AI. Participants will leave with ready-to-use ideas, prompt examples, and resources that can immediately be applied in the classroom while also discussing responsible and ethical use of AI in education.

Facilitator:  Stefanie Schrampf

7/22 | 10:00 AM-11:00 AM | VIRTUAL

Yup, I did it. I went through the pathway and opened Gemini to my 7th grade ELA class. . . and now it's time for me to share my deepest secrets and bare my teaching soul. Come learn about what I would definitely do again, what I would definitely change, and all the secrets of having an AI partner in your class. This will be an audience-participation experience, so come with questions!!

Facilitator:  Kerin Steigerwalt

8/12 | 9:00 AM-10:30 AM | HIGH SCHOOL ROOM D225

Set up your Schoology grade book, TAC grades and sync them in one 1.5 hour academy.  These are all the steps you only do once and forget.  Come and make sure you have everything set up for a great new year.

Facilitator:  Melissa Goldstein

7/30 | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM | VIRTUAL

Summer Book Club: Transforming the Difficult Child: The Nurtured Heart Approach by Jennifer Easley & Howard Glasser

Shift your focus from managing difficult behaviors to building "Inner Wealth." This book club explores the Nurtured Heart Approach (NHA) via Howard Glasser’s Transforming the Difficult Child. Participants will learn how to supercharge their Tier 1 PBIS expectations by actively recognizing student greatness and maintaining absolute neutrality during consequences. Streamline your classroom management, reduce referrals, and fuel positive student choices.

• Requirement: Participants must acquire their own copy of the book and complete the reading in June/July.

• Session: July 30th (2-hour interactive discussion and application session).

Facilitator:  Brooke Bonavita

8/3 | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER ROOM 313A

Audience: K–2 General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, and Paraprofessionals.

This academy introduces evidence-based, individualized instructional approaches tailored for neurodivergent pre-academic learners in early childhood settings. Participants will explore how to design and implement differentiated instruction centered on four critical pillars: communication, active engagement, purposeful play, and adaptive skills. Grounded in collaboration, this session offers practical teaching activities and interventions designed to target individual learner differences while fostering meaningful growth across educational, social, and functional domains.

Facilitator:  Ashley Joseph

8/13 | 8:30 AM-10:30 AM | EDUCATION & OPERATIONS CENTER ROOM 313A

Audience: Elementary Paraprofessionals and Special Education Teachers

Heading into Year 2 of Arts & Letters, this hands-on session is designed for educators working in inclusive elementary settings. Building on our Year 1 foundations, we will explore practical, high-impact strategies to support diverse learners during reading instruction. Participants will collaborate, share district-wide successes and solutions, and walk away with an actionable toolkit to confidently foster student growth.

Facilitators:  Kelly Rosario, Adrienne Kashner & Jillian Azar